Things to do with kids in Rockhampton, Yeppoon & Capricorn

Ferries cross from Rosslyn Bay to Great Keppel Island in about 30 minutes, and the island has 17 white sand beaches. Two beaches are close to where boats arrive, and the best snorkelling is at Shelving Beach, Monkey Point and Clam Bay. Supplies on the island are few, so bring what you need for the day.

The caves sit in 80 acres of bushland about 23km north of Rockhampton. The 45-minute Cathedral Cave tour suits all ages and takes in the biggest caves and their special acoustics. Wear enclosed shoes and book online, as tours often sell out and tickets bought at the kiosk cost more.

This free council zoo inside the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens has more than 30 species, including a chimpanzee troop and meerkats. Keepers give talks every day, and it opens 9am to 4.15pm daily except Christmas Day. A playground, barbecues and the Gardens Tearooms are a short walk away in the gardens.

The playground here has the famous monorail, a 30m double flying fox and Wyatt's Wonder Web, a nine-metre climbing net with three slides. Beside it, a 200mm-deep water course traces the Fitzroy River and runs from 7.30am to 7.30pm daily. The gardens are free and open around the clock, with free barbecues and plenty of shade.

Yeppoon Lagoon is a free, patrolled 2,500sqm pool on the beachfront, with a shallow children's area and views to the Keppel Islands. Beside it, the Keppel Kraken water play has water cannons, jets and a giant umbrella bucket. Crocodiles have been sighted off the beach, so swim in the lagoon; from September to April it opens 5am to 9pm, and the Kraken 7.30am to 8pm.

This North Rockhampton centre shares Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture through guided tours and hands-on activities. Visits can include face painting, didgeridoo demonstrations and dance. Guided tours run at 10.30am and 1pm, Monday to Friday.

The Nurim circuit at Fraser Park, on the summit, is a 500m elevated boardwalk that takes about 20 minutes and suits wheelchairs and prams. It looks west over Rockhampton and the Fitzroy River and east toward the Capricorn Coast. From the amphitheatre, the 840m return Grasstree lookout walk adds views of three nearby peaks.

Archer Park was Rockhampton's main railway station from 1899 until the mid-1920s and is now a rail museum, 900m from the city centre. Visitors can ride its fully restored Purrey Steam Tram, the only one of its kind. The museum opens Monday to Thursday 10am to 3pm and Sunday 9am to 1pm.

Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and paddle boats can be hired at Causeway Lake, where Kinka Beach meets Mulambin Beach on the Scenic Highway. Toilets are on the western side of the highway at the lake. Cafes and fish and chips at the Causeway make it an easy lunch stop after a beach walk.